Since I don't wish to shoot any dark clouds into your sunny horizon I'll try to keep this short.
Yes there is lots to experience and I'm glad you were able to encourage that young man. I wish I had had a someone like you to encourage me when I was going through that same sort of thing. For a lack of any other explanation its only because of "divine intervention" that I'm still around. But even so... the hope that is "always" there, it tends to fade from time to time in comparison to the atrocities that can be seen in the world today.
You know the saying "knowledge is Power!" well don't forget... "Ignorances is Bliss" I hope for you say you can keep that passionate heart as time goes by. We are going to need more people like you in the world.